At the Angelus, Pope Leo XIV also urged an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine as the war approaches its fourth year, insisting peace \u201ccannot be postponed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pope Leo XIV urged Catholics to switch off their cellphones during Lent to create room for silence and prayer, while also calling Sunday for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine as the war approaches its fourth year.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet us create space for silence by turning off televisions, radios, and cellphones for a while,\u201d the pope said during his Angelus address. \u201cLet us meditate on the word of God, approach the sacraments, and listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit, who speaks to us in our heart. Let us also listen to one another \u2014 in our families, workplaces, and communities.\u201d<\/p>\n
The pope invited the faithful to view Lent as \u201ca luminous path\u201d of \u201cprayer, fasting, and almsgiving,\u201d saying these practices can renew cooperation with God \u201cin the crafting of our lives as a unique masterpiece,\u201d allowing the Lord to \u201ccleanse the stains and heal the wounds of sin\u201d until life reaches \u201cthe fullness of love \u2014 the only source of true happiness.\u201d<\/p>\n
Leo warned that Lent is \u201ca demanding journey\u201d and that there is \u201calways the risk of discouragement or of being drawn to easier paths to satisfaction, such as wealth, fame, and power.\u201d Such temptations, he said, \u201care merely poor substitutes for the joy for which we were created,\u201d and ultimately leave people \u201cdissatisfied, restless, and empty.\u201d<\/p>\n
He cited St. Paul VI\u2019s teaching that penance, \u201cfar from impoverishing our humanity,\u201d instead \u201cenriches, purifies, and strengthens it,\u201d guiding believers toward a horizon that has \u201cas its aim love and surrender to God.\u201d<\/p>\n
The pope also urged care for those on the margins: \u201cLet us dedicate time to those who are alone, especially the elderly, the poor, and the sick,\u201d he said, adding that by giving up what is superfluous, \u201cwe can share what we save with those in need.\u201d<\/p>\n
After the Angelus, Leo turned to Ukraine, marking four years since the start of the war. \u201cPeace cannot be postponed,\u201d he said, calling it \u201can urgent necessity that must find a home in our hearts and be translated into responsible decisions.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMy heartfelt thoughts remain focused on the tragic situation unfolding before the eyes of the whole world: so many victims, so many lives and families shattered, such immense destruction, such unspeakable suffering!\u201d he said, adding: \u201cEvery war is truly a wound inflicted upon the entire human family.\u201d<\/p>\n
He renewed his appeal \u201cthat the weapons fall silent,\u201d that \u201cthe bombings cease,\u201d and that \u201can immediate ceasefire be reached,\u201d urging dialogue to be strengthened \u201cto pave the way toward peace.\u201d He invited prayers for \u201cthe embattled people of Ukraine\u201d and for all who suffer from war, \u201cthat the long-awaited gift of peace may shine upon our days.\u201d<\/p>\n
He concluded the Angelus by entrusting the Lenten journey of the faithful to Mary: \u201cWe entrust our Lenten journey to the Virgin Mary, our mother who always assists her children in times of trial.\u201d<\/p>\n
This story\u00a0was first published\u00a0in\u00a0two parts\u00a0by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News, and has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.<\/p>\n